Basement Waterproofing Before & After Photos

Having water in a basement isn’t just an issue of aesthetics. If your basement is wet or damp, it can lead to dust mites, mold upstairs, swollen doors and windows, and buckling hardwood floors. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

In the basement pictured here, there are signs of water intrusion and effervescence. Contrary to popular belief, concrete walls are not an ideal choice to keep water out of a basement. The water can actually come through the minute holes within the concrete slabs. This, of course, causes the damage seen here.

To combat this problem, we install our Clean Space Wall, a heavy, durable plastic liner. Clean Space Wall provides a vapor barrier, drains water behind it, and potentially brightens the basement.

This homeowner first called us when they noticed that the bottom of the basement walls was beginning to change color/rot. While the water intrusion was very little, over time it began to pile up and really start to make a difference. When All-Dry was able to make it over there, our specialist noticed what the issue was and the best way to fix it. Some Waterguard and a sump pump were the solutions to this homeowner's problem.

The "before" photo shows off the area infected by the water. It has already been stained by the water and was already beginning to deteriorate. This happens because the water does not have anywhere to go, so it soaks into the wood (or drywall) and as time goes on, this process just keeps being repeated.

The "after" picture is a much different story. For one, the part of paneling that had been affected by the water intrusion. However, the biggest change was the installation of the Waterguard drain system. This is what will keep this problem from reoccurring, and will prevent the homeowner from any more headaches in dealing with their wet crawlspace!

To fix the water intrusion of the basement, our team added WaterGuard. WaterGuard is like a French drain although it is installed inside of the home. This interior form of waterproofing is more likely to resist clogging with silt or plant roots. WaterGuard catches wall and floor seepages before it reaches the floor in its drainage pipe where it is then sent to the sump pump. This basement also had a SuperSump pump installed so that the water from the WaterGuard could be drained from the basement.

In the before pictures you see the basement without any waterproofing products in the floor. But in the after picture you can see where the WaterGuard has been added to the basement and covered with cement for a hidden waterproofing method. You can see the flood check port in the lot right hand of the photo.

Large, full basements aren’t exceptions to the moisture rule. Even homes that have, in the beginning, shown no signs of water intrusion often end up a casualty in the war on water. It’s unfortunate, but not uncommon. That is the problem this Greenwood, South Carolina homeowner had when they decided to give All-Dry of the Carolinas a call.

If we take a look at the ‘after’ photo, we see evidence that water has come and gone. There’s discoloration on the floor, which, by itself is not only unsightly, but it’s also evidence of a much larger problem. What would happen to the floors during a flood?

In the ‘before’ photo, we have completely solved this issue. Notice the dark outline against the floor. That’s where we have installed our patented WaterGuard system and covered it with cement. In the photo, it has yet to dry, but when it does not even the homeowner will be able to tell the difference.

Our WaterGuard sits against the wall and captures the water as it passes through the walls down to the floor. It’s inserted and then hidden from view. It doesn’t sit in the dirt and so, there is no way it could clog or be filled with debris. There are small notches (or teeth) in the WaterGuard that allow nothing but water to pass into it. Once it captures this water, the water is then directed to one of our patented sump pumps and swiftly sent away from the home.

The space has hardly been changed at all.

Open sump holes were common for a long time. Not having a top or a lid made accessing the pump that much easier. The problem with an open sump hole is that the water inside of it evaporates into the air. This erases all hopes of a dry crawlspace.

That is the dilemma this Ridgeway, South Carolina crawlspace faced when they call us at All-Dry of the Carolinas. The first issue, besides the exposed sump hole, is the lack of coverage. There is no proper barrier protecting the house from the ground. Of course, there is a loose plastic sheet, but, without it being secured, it provides no protection from water vapor.

Again, if we focus on the sump hole, we see just how awful it is. In addition to being an eyesore, there is a deep trench surrounding it that—one would thing—would make it difficult for the water to reach it. Either way, the solution is to provide both a sturdy barrier and an operational sump pump. We have that here in the form of CleanSpace and a SmartSump.

The SmartSump, unlike its predecessor, comes equipped with a lid and WaterWatch Alarm. The Alarm is used to alert you, if your basement has flooded. The lid itself insures that no water vapor escapes into the space and adds to the moisture level. The CleanSpace is that barrier we mentioned. It is the perfect gate keeper to prevent water vapor and other natural gases from entering your home.

The difference between the two is stark when you consider them. I know our clients, the owners of this home, were more than happy to see a big change take place.

To make a difference in your crawlspace, please reach out to us at All-Dry of the Carolinas.